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2017.06.07

Award-winning Cannes film highlights fight against AIDS

French actor Arnaud Valois, protagonist of the award-winning film "120 Beats Per Minute" at Cannes, says the film is part of the trend of sociopolitical movies investigating important issues in contemporary society.

Directed by Robin Campillo, the film portrays the fight against AIDS in the 1990s started by the movement Act Up, sometimes with unconventional methods and going against big economic and corporate interests.

"The goal of this movie is also to create awareness on the issue that is still often hidden in our society. The AIDS topic is current even now in 2017," the French actor told Xinhua.

Valois stressed the efficiency of the French health care system, saying, "I think in France, we have still an incredible health system. Some people talk about what is not functioning but I would be better to promote also the positive examples."

Campillo did not want to make a documentary on the movement but a feature film where actors could insert personal elements about that period in the project.

During the shooting, Valois said the director let him fill out the scenes according to what was going on on set.

Questioned about his preferred kinds of characters, the young actor said, "I like very much intense roles. I prefer hard stories." He said he would also be open to giving comedy a crack if the opportunity arises later in his career.